Selective Package Conveyors

Abstract

Abstract Severe competition is forcing every manufacturing industry to secure the most efficient layout of machinery and the maximum output from every square foot of floor space. Economical handling of materials, orders, letters, and instructions within the plant are important to secure the highest efficiency. Conveyors of many types are now available, and “selective” conveyors are an important variety. These are adapted for automatically delivering packages or materials to various predetermined points selected by the sender at the time the material is dispatched. The selection of destination may be determined by the size or weight of the package itself or by the position of a movable finger or selective pin. If the material to be transported is carried in trays or tote boxes over a conveyor system the movable selective finger can be mounted upon the upper front edge of the tray. This selective finger, for light service, may itself be used to deflect the tray from a conveyor by means of a switch bar, or may operate an electric circuit maker to control the movement of a heavy deflector bar. The latest method of selection employs a separate pilot car carrying the selective pin and followed upon the conveyor belt by a string of boxes, cartons, or bags which are all going to the same destination. The procession is followed by a caboose car carrying a selective pin which releases the deflector bar after the caboose has passed and allows the deflector to swing out of the path of passing pilot cars until another car approaches with its selective pin in the proper position to operate this particular deflector.